Guy wearing shirt and hat marked POLICE

[Jake'sDad]

Don't try that in Florida where impersonating a police officer is a felony. I was riding my bicycle on the local trail and passed two women with bicycles and two men without standing and talking. Something didn't seem right. I asked if everything was OK, the men both said "yes" and women both said "no". The men were impersonating police officers and hassling the women but could not produce ID but did threaten me with arrest. I called the local Sheriff's office and put the dispatcher on speaker and the two hauled ass. They were in custody within an hour. Both got felony convictions and prison time.

Impersonating a police officer is a felony in most, if not all states. Whether wearing a t shirt and hat that says "Police" constitutes the elements of the crime, depends on the state, and what the guy was doing.

[variablebinary]

I wear an NYPD t-shirt because it was gift from back home.

In fact, NYPD and FDNY hoodies and shirts are quite popular.

I dont see the big deal

[Jake'sDad]

I wear an NYPD t-shirt because it was gift from back home.

In fact, NYPD and FDNY hoodies and shirts are quite popular.

I dont see the big deal

I don't think it is in most, if not all places.

It would only become an issue if someone's actions would give someone else reason to believe they were trying to take action as a police officer. For example, I wouldn't want to get into any kind of altercation while wearing something that said "police", if I wasn't a cop.

[Heavy Metal]

I wear an NYPD t-shirt because it was gift from back home.

In fact, NYPD and FDNY hoodies and shirts are quite popular.

I dont see the big deal

It was more than just a shirt. It included a police labeled ballcap and a very gimpy duty belt with semi-functional crap equipment. The totality of his garb and gear leads a reasonable man to conclude he was attempting to impersonate LEO IMO.

He was clearly trying, albeit poorly, to project the image of someone official. I have worked in conjunction with CO's who wear a logo'ed T-Shirt at times in the Summer and they always put their shield on their belt or on their body armor over the shirt.

I know anyone can buy a shield on the interwebz but to me, wearing one on your person is kind of the 'crossing the Rubicon' moment. If you wear one, you better be who you say your are.

[GermanSynergy]

People do all sorts of stupid shit to invite unwanted attention into their lives...... Sheesh...

[Irish]

People like to buy police gear and impersonate cops to break into houses a la "SWAT raid", pull women over and rape them, etc. Sporting your local PD hat to show your support is one thing but sporting a shirt, belt and other gear is taking it too far. You're either up to no good or you need to get back on the short bus, I don't see any other reason.

[bkb0000]

technically speaking, in Oregon, you could put on a Portland Police uniform, provided it wasn't stolen, a sidearm, get a correct haircut, ASP, x26, double cuff carrier w/ cuffs, armor, etc, etc, etc, and roll around in a retired interceptor..... and you're breaking no laws, so long as that's ALL you do. the ORS for impersonating requires the individual attempt to act under the color of the law. so long as that element isn't met, the law is not violated. he's have to try to pull somebody over, or detain someone, etc.

you could even announce to people "i'm a portland police officer." still aren't meeting the elements of impersonating, unless your announcement was accompanied by an order, instructions, suggestions, etc., presented as though from an authority.

check your criminal code... some are really loose, some are lot tighter.

[RogerinTPA]

Pathetic.

[Jake'sDad]

you could even announce to people "i'm a portland police officer." still aren't meeting the elements of impersonating, unless your announcement was accompanied by an order, instructions, suggestions, etc., presented as though from an authority.

Correct, though at least in CA, for someone wearing a "police" shirt, that order, instructions, suggestions, etc. could be inferred, if a reasonable person would be led to believe they were attempting any of them.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

If arrested for wearing a shirt that said "Police", at your trial just wear a shirt that says "Innocent".